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In this solo episode, Brad Foley steps back after 26 conversations with founders and CEOs to highlight the seven HR challenges that consistently surface beneath the stories. From growth outpacing structure to toxic high performers and crises exposing weak systems, Brad distills the patterns business owners can’t afford to ignore. If you’re building without a net, this episode offers a practical roadmap to strengthen the people side of your business before small cracks turn into major fractures.
In this episode, Brad discusses:
Key Takeaways:
“Growth does not need to break a company; you just need to make sure that you have structure in place for that growth.” - Brad Foley
Connect with Brad Foley:
Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/
Email: [email protected]
Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Aneesa Muthana is the CEO and co-owner of Pioneer Service and M&M Quality Grinding, bringing more than 30 years of experience in precision machining for aerospace, medical, and electric vehicle customers. She leads with a strong focus on operational discipline, quality performance, and continuous improvement, driving the adoption of modern manufacturing practices that enhance visibility, accountability, and consistent execution across operations. A recognized industry leader, Aneesa is a regular contributor to Modern Machine Shop, serves on the boards of the National Association of Manufacturers and the MxD Advisory Board, and previously served as President of the Precision Machined Products Association (2021–2022). Her leadership has earned numerous honors, including the Manufacturing Institute Award, NAWBO Woman Business Owner of the Year, Crain’s Notable Woman in Manufacturing, SWE’s Women Engineers You Should Know, the TMA Rose Mottl Award, and the Illinois Muslim Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award.
In this episode, Brad and Aneesa discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“If someone's going to be toxic in my life, if someone's going to bring harm to me and eat up my mental health and put me in a situation that's just not healthy. It's on me to just remove myself from that environment.” - Aneesa Muthana
Connect with Aneesa Muthana:
Website: https://www.aneesamuthana.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aneesamuthana/
Pioneer Service: https://pioneerserviceinc.com/
M&M Quality Grinding: https://www.mmquality.com/
Connect with Brad Foley:
Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/
Email: [email protected]
Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Beth Ridley is a corporate executive turned workplace culture consultant, speaker, author, and CEO of Ridley Consulting Group, bringing more than 25 years of global leadership and management consulting experience to her work, helping organizations turn culture into a true competitive advantage. With deep expertise in change management and positive psychology, Beth focuses on equipping managers to genuinely care about and actively contribute to resilient, motivated, high-performing workplaces. A recognized leadership and workplace culture thought leader, her insights have been featured in national publications, and she regularly appears on television and delivers keynotes around the world. Beth holds a BA in English Literature from the University of Virginia, an MA in International Relations from Tufts University, and an MBA from Columbia University, and has lived in London, Tokyo, Johannesburg, and Bangkok before settling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her husband and three children.
In this episode, Brad and Beth discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“The only way we can navigate collectively the complexity of the work environment is by making that emotional connection to help people rise to the occasion.” - Beth Ridley
Connect with Beth Ridley:
Website: https://ridleyconsultants.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-ridley-a92b8b5/
Email: [email protected]
Connect with Brad Foley:
Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/
Email: [email protected]
Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Deb Seeger is a seasoned business leader and entrepreneur with deep expertise in sales methodologies, leadership development, and building high-performing teams in an increasingly digital world. Over the course of her career, she has coached hundreds of C-suite executives and sales leaders, helping organizations strengthen strategy, culture, and execution. An accomplished speaker and facilitator, Deb has delivered keynote presentations for organizations such as the Milwaukee Economic Trends Conference, Rotary, and TEMPO, and is a frequent guest on podcasts and CEO roundtables. She was recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal as a Woman of Influence and is the co-founder of Patina Solutions, a firm named by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for five consecutive years, now part of Korn Ferry.
In this episode, Brad and Deb discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“Every project is a change, and every change is a project. And so if you just walk every change through a project methodology, then you can kind of demystify it.” - Deb Seeger
Connect with Deb Seeger:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbieseeger/
Email: [email protected]
Additional Resources:
Connect with Brad Foley:
Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/
Email: [email protected]
Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Steve Valentor began his career at the dawn of the personal computer era, leveraging a mathematics degree and deep expertise in assembly language to develop computers for Zenith, LG, and his own laptop startup, Airis. As system-on-chip technology emerged, he transitioned into semiconductor R&D at NXP for a decade, followed by three years in senior management at Wind River (now Intel). Steve later became a major shareholder and CEO of RightHand Technologies, where he led the design and manufacturing of embedded computers for aerospace and defense applications and helped scale the company before stepping out of day-to-day operations. He then returned to school to earn an MBA with a strong concentration in finance and now runs his own venture capital fund while teaching entrepreneurship and technical AI courses at DePaul University.
In this episode, Brad and Steve discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“We never really have a safety net. And the only real safety net is your own strength, your own vision, your confidence in yourself, and your willingness to go as far as you need to to make your business successful. ” - Steve Valentor
Connect with Steve Valentor:
Website: https://polynomial-vc.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenrvalentor/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@stevevalentor4804?app=desktop
Connect with Brad Foley:
Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/
Email: [email protected]
Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
William Salvi is the co-founder and host of Executive House, a global business media platform that spotlights prominent business executives through in-depth, authentic conversations. He is also the creator and host of The CEO Series, an Emmy-winning, YouTube-based interview show focused exclusively on CEOs, where he explores not just what leaders build, but how and why they lead.
In this episode, Brad and William discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“Honesty doesn't mean share everything. Honesty means, you know, be real.” - William Salvi
Connect with William Salvi:
Website: http://www.ceoseries.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-salvi/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveHouse
Connect with Brad Foley:
Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/
Email: [email protected]
Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Andrew Sykes grew up in South Africa and built one of the country’s largest healthcare consulting businesses. With 25 years of experience in sales, he has lived, worked, and run businesses across six continents, giving him a global perspective on leadership, trust, and human behavior. Andrew is the author of The 11th Habit, a TEDx speaker, and a lecturer at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He is also the founder of Habits at Work, where he helps customer-facing teams build stronger relationships, leverage trust, and uncover their customers’ deeper needs beyond what’s on the surface.
In this episode, Brad and Andrew discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“Mere experience gained on automatic is the enemy of mastery.” - Andrew Sykes
Connect with Andrew Sykes:
Website: https://www.habitsatwork.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsykes1/
Other Resources: Cohort on Trust for 2026 - https://www.habitsatwork.com/trust-advantage
Book: https://cerene.squarespace.com/woof-book-store/p/the-book
Connect with Brad Foley:
Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/
Email: [email protected]
Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Christine Toson is the President and CEO of The Tribute Companies, Inc., based in Hartland, Wisconsin. Tribute owns and manages four prominent, family-owned and operated cemeteries across Wisconsin, located in Milwaukee, Hartland, Wausau, and Green Bay, each offering full-service cemetery products and services. In addition to cemetery ownership and management, The Tribute Companies includes an architectural firm and two precast concrete manufacturing facilities in Illinois and Indiana that serve the death care profession. Christine represents the fourth generation of her family in the cemetery industry and has worked within The Tribute Companies for nearly 30 years. Her expertise spans cemetery ownership, management, design, and development, as well as the manufacturing of precast concrete products for the cemetery industry.
In this episode, Brad and Christine discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“At the core of everything is compassion. And so they need to be compassionate, because that's what our business is all about.” - Christine Toson
Connect with Christine Toson:
Website: http://www.tributeinc.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-toson-cce-5489882/
Connect with Brad Foley:
Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/
Email: [email protected]
Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Alex Samoylovich is the Co-Founding Partner and Managing Partner of CEDARst Companies, a nationally recognized multifamily real estate development and operating firm with more than $4 billion in assets developed or acquired across the United States. Over the past 18 years, Alex has built and scaled vertically integrated businesses spanning real estate development, construction, operations, property management, and technology. He is also the founder of Livly, a resident engagement and property technology platform designed to create frictionless experiences for owners and residents. Alex’s career reflects a deep commitment to innovation, long-term value creation, and building strong teams capable of navigating market cycles, distressed assets, and rapid growth.
In this episode, Brad and Alex discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“We've continued to add a growth mindset, which really allowed us to continue to improve and get better.” - Alex Samoylovich
Connect with Alex Samoylovich:
Website: http://www.cedarst.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-samoylovich-129b524/
Connect with Brad Foley:
Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/
Email: [email protected]
Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Bror David Johnson is the founder of Retention Search and a seasoned insurance and recruiting professional with more than 25 years of industry experience, as well as a benefits broker with Van Wyk Risk Solutions. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Indiana University, he built a diverse career spanning business development, underwriting, consulting, product development, and executive recruiting at organizations including RR Donnelly, AT&T, Willis Towers Watson, and SunLife Financial. Today, Bror helps employers, brokerages, and candidates navigate complex staffing and employee benefits challenges by combining deep insurance expertise with a relationship-driven recruiting approach, specializing in placing top talent in critical roles and helping organizations optimize compensation, benefits, and retention strategies for long-term success.
In this episode, Brad and Bror David discuss:
Key Takeaways:
“It's how you're made to feel, right? And that, I think, is the core of, you know, employee retention at the end of the day.” - Bror David Johnson
Connect with Bror David Johnson:
Website: https://www.retentionsearch.com/ and https://www.vanwykcorp.com/
Phone: 773-573-5942
Connect with Brad Foley:
Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/
Email: [email protected]
Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
From the publisher's feed
Built Without a Net: Where business gets real—People problems, meet practical solutions.
Every business hits a point where things get messy—people issues,…
Each week on Built Without a Net, business owner and fractional HR expert Brad Foley delivers practical advice, real-life stories, and expert insights from entrepreneurs and business leaders who’ve walked through the fire and figured it out the hard way. From hiring and culture to growth challenges and the gray areas no one warns you about, this podcast brings the unfiltered truth behind building and leading a business.
This show is for entrepreneurs and business leaders who want to create something sustainable—without losing their minds, their people, or their purpose along the way.